Letter: Traffic study ‘too small’ to be ‘reliable’

The Argus Leader’s recent “study” implies that flashing yellow arrow traffic signals may be at fault in a rise in crashes at certain intersections in Sioux Falls. The study, however, fails to eliminate other more likely causes of fluctuations in crash rates and relies on a sample size that is too small to develop any reliable statistical relationships.

The study was widely distributed by other news outlets in the state and left an impression that is not supported by the facts.

South Dakota law prevents the practice of engineering by untrained, unlicensed individuals. The practice of crash analysis lies squarely within the realm of engineering.

The Argus Leader needs to publicly withdraw the study and apologize to the citizens of S.D. for spreading bogus science and flirting with a violation of S.D. statute.